News tagged with plant biology

Related topics: genes , plants

Cloned sorghum is aluminum tolerant

(PhysOrg.com) -- Leon Kochian and colleagues have cloned a unique sorghum gene that is being used to develop sorghum lines that can withstand toxic levels of aluminum in the soil, a consequence of acidic soils.

Biology / Biotechnology

created Feb 23, 2010 | popularity 3.7 / 5 (3) | comments 0 | with audio podcast

From carnivorous plants to the medicine cabinet?

In the tropics, carnivorous plants trap unsuspecting prey in a cavity filled with liquid known as a "pitcher."

Biology / Cell & Microbiology

created Feb 18, 2010 | popularity 5 / 5 (1) | comments 0

Will earlier springs throw nature out of step?

The recent trend towards earlier UK springs and summers has been accelerating, according to a study published today (9 February 2010) in the scientific journal Global Change Biology.

Biology / Ecology

created Feb 09, 2010 | popularity 1 / 5 (1) | comments 1

Gene function discovery: Guilt by association

Scientists have created a new computational model that can be used to predict gene function of uncharacterized plant genes with unprecedented speed and accuracy. The network, dubbed AraNet, has over 19,600 ...

Biology / Biotechnology

created Jan 31, 2010 | popularity 4.8 / 5 (5) | comments 0 | with audio podcast

Scientists discover how certain hormones control aspects of root branching in plants

(PhysOrg.com) -- Roots are the most underestimated parts of a plant, even though they are crucial for water and nutrient uptake and consequently growth. In a world of changing water availability and an ever-increasing ...

Biology / Plants & Animals

created Jan 27, 2010 | popularity 4.5 / 5 (2) | comments 0

Green plant transport mystery solved

Contrary to prevailing wisdom, a new study from plant biologists at UC Davis shows that proteins of the Hsp70 family do indeed chaperone proteins across the membranes of chloroplasts, just as they do for other cellular structures.

Biology / Cell & Microbiology

created Jan 26, 2010 | popularity 4 / 5 (1) | comments 0 | with audio podcast

Tobacco plant thwarts caterpillar onslaught by opening flowers in the morning

We normally think of pollinators as providing a valuable service to plants, and they certainly do. In exchange for nectar, pollinators like the well-known honey bee carry pollen from one plant to the other ...

Biology / Plants & Animals

created Jan 21, 2010 | popularity 5 / 5 (2) | comments 0 | with audio podcast

Genes for drought-tolerance, aflatoxin may mingle to boost corn production

Scientists plan to put two and two together in a study that will likely yield improved U.S. corn quality and yields.

Biology / Biotechnology

created Jan 04, 2010 | popularity not rated yet | comments 0

Scientists show that plants have measure of the shortest day

(PhysOrg.com) -- It is not only people who feel the effects of short winter days - new research by the University of Edinburgh and the University of Warwick has shed light on how plants calculate their own winter solstice. ...

Biology / Plants & Animals

created Dec 23, 2009 | popularity 5 / 5 (2) | comments 1

Study sheds light on microscopic flower petal ridges

(PhysOrg.com) -- Microscopic ridges contouring the surface of flower petals might play a role in flashing that come-hither look pollinating insects can't resist. Michigan State University scientists and colleagues ...

Biology / Plants & Animals

created Dec 22, 2009 | popularity 4.3 / 5 (3) | comments 0

Making New Enzymes to Engineer Plants for Biofuel Production

(PhysOrg.com) -- Brookhaven scientists have created a new enzyme with the potential to interfere with a key cell-wall component in plants, possibly leading to plants that are easier to "digest" and convert ...

Chemistry / Biochemistry

created Dec 21, 2009 | popularity 4.5 / 5 (2) | comments 0

Warming climate chills Sonoran Desert's spring flowers

Global warming is giving a boost to Sonoran Desert plants that have an edge during cold weather, according to new research.

Biology / Ecology

created Dec 16, 2009 | popularity 3.2 / 5 (9) | comments 3

Global barcode project to scan plants in the wild

(PhysOrg.com) -- A cheap and fast method of identifying the world's most important plants in the wild could soon be possible, thanks to a global project involving the University of Adelaide.

Biology / Ecology

created Dec 16, 2009 | popularity 5 / 5 (1) | comments 0

Researchers find long awaited key to creating drought resistant crops

Van Andel Research Institute (VARI) researchers have determined precisely how the plant hormone abscisic acid (ABA) works at the molecular level to help plants respond to environmental stresses such as drought and cold. ...

Biology / Biotechnology

created Dec 03, 2009 | popularity 4 / 5 (1) | comments 0

When roots lose contact

Plant roots can shrink as a result of water deficit and lose contact with the surrounding soil. This effect has been suspected for a long time, but has only now been demonstrated for a fact with the help of ...

Space & Earth / Environment

created Nov 30, 2009 | popularity 5 / 5 (1) | comments 0